iPad Air 3 release date rumours & features wish list: When is the new iPad Air (or iPad 7) coming out, and what new features and specs can we expect?

When is the new iPad Air 3 (or iPad 7) coming out? Macworld gathers all the rumours about Apple's next iPad (the seventh-generation full-size iPad), its new features and specs, design changes and more. Plus: iPad Air 3 features wish list.

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When is the new iPad Air 3 coming out? I know it's only been a couple of months since the launch of the iPad Air 2, but I'm already looking forward to the next iPad Air launch date in 2015. Also, what new features, specs and design changes can we expect in the iPad Air 3?

The iPad Air 2 was unveiled at Apple's special launch event on 16 October, but we're already looking ahead to the launch of the iPad Air 3 (assuming that's what Apple calls its next full-size iPad - other possibilities include the iPad 7 and the New iPad). It's early days for the iPad Air 3 just yet, but as rumours circulate and information leaks out, we will regularly update this article with everything you need to know about the new iPad Air 3: its design, features, size and specifications, the differences between the next-gen iPad Air 3 and the current iPad Air 2, the iPad Air 3's UK launch date and UK price, and much, much more.

Welcome to our iPad Air 3 rumours article, discussing the latest hints on the iPad Air 3's release date, specs and UK price. In this article we will present all the available information, rumours and clues about the new iPad Air 2014, including the iPad Air 3 release date, new features in the iPad Air 3, and images of the iPad Air 3 - both concept illustrations and leaked photos as they emerge. (None have emerged yet, unfortunately, so for the time being we will illustrate this article with images of the iPad Air 2.) We will also analyse the iPad Air 3 rumours for their credibility based on our long experience of Apple launches.

Information on the iPad Air 3 is pretty thin on the ground just yet - the iPad Air 2 was only launched in October 2014, after all - so check back regularly for the latest updates. Our latest addition is an iPad Air 3 features wish list.

(If you're looking for information on Apple's rumoured big-screen iPad Pro, however - and the iPad Pro could be the next iPad to launch - we've gathered the rumours about that device in a separate article: iPad Pro release date.)

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: When will the new iPad Air 3 come out?

The iPad Air 3 is very likely to be unveiled in October 2015.

The iPad Air 2 was unveiled to journalists at Apple's Cupertino campus in California on 16 October (and simultaneously to European writers in Berlin). The iPad Air 1 was announced on 22 October 2013, and released at the start of November. This is Apple's standard iPad release schedule.

When will the iPad Air 3 go on sale in the UK? There's usually a delay of around 10 days between the announcement and the devices going on sale, so expect the iPad Air 3 to hit UK shops in late October 2015 or early November.

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: Design

Last time around Apple tweaked the design of the iPad Air 1 rather than totally reimagining it. That already-slender device was trimmed down: at 6.1mm thick, the iPad Air 2 is the slenderest tablet Apple has yet produced, and significantly thinner than the 7.5mm-thick iPad Air 1.

Indeed, the successive reductions in depth from generation to generation mean the iPad Air 2 reached a milestone: it is half the thickness of the original iPad.

It's possible that Apple will repeat the trick on the iPad Air 3, but that seems a little unnecessary - how much lighter and thinner does a tablet need to be? We've also started having slight worries about flex on the iPad Air 2: it's not fragile, but there's just enough give, and it feels just delicate enough, that we'd be nervous about its toughness if any more of the body was trimmed off.

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: Processor and speed

The iPad Air 2 got a new processor chip, the A8X - a souped-up version of the iPhone 6's A8. This has three billion transistors and offers (Apple says) 40 percent faster performance than the iPad Air 1's A7 chip in most apps and up to 2.5x graphics performance.

Offering a historical perspective (if four years counts as history), Apple pointed out that the iPad Air 2 is capable of up to 12 times faster processing than the iPad 1 (the first-gen iPad, that is, not the iPad Air 1!), and a staggering 180 times faster graphics.

It would be a big shock if Apple didn't upgrade the processor again when it launches the iPad Air 3, and it doesn't take a genius to predict that the iPad Air 3's chip will be an A9 or an A9X, and very speedy indeed. Given the near-overkill of the iPad Air 2's power, mind you, it might make sense for Apple to focus more on power efficiency than on sheer processing welly, and try to improve battery life.

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: Screen

We thought that the iPad Air might get a screen upgrade, possibly gaining the Retina HD designation given to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. But the iPad Air 2's display is largely the same, with the same resolution and size.

(One screen modification Apple did talk about was an anti-reflective coating: a nice - if unglamorous - upgrade.)

The iPad Air 3's screen, then, may well get a resolution boost - perhaps approaching the 401ppi (pixels per inch) pixel density of the iPhone 6 Plus. We dread to think what this would do to the battery life, though. The iPhone 6 Plus got round that because its larger size allowed it to include a bigger battery.

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: Camera

Apple upped the megapixel count on the iPad Air's rear-facing (iSight) camera, from 5Mp to 8Mp. The iPad Air 2 also gained new camera features: burst mode, panoramas (up to 43Mp), slo-mo, timer mode and time-lapse.

The front-facing (FaceTime HD) camera retained the same (1.2Mp) rating, but Apple said it had improved the sensor and made the pixels bigger for better low-light performance.

We're not convinced that Apple will increase the megapixel rating of the cameras on the iPad Air 3, although we will let you know if any information emerges on that score.

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: iPad Air 3 colour options

We'd expect the iPad Air 3 to be available in Apple's now-standard three iOS device colour options: silver, space grey and gold.

Every year someone suggests that the next iPad will come in the bright primary colours of the iPhone 5c and every year that person is disappointed. We don't expect the iPad Air 3 to be particularly colourful (except for that lovely gold finish).

iPad Air 3 release date rumours: iPad Air 3 UK price

How much will the iPad Air 3 cost in the UK?

Most likely it will cost pretty much what the iPad Air 2 cost when it launched. The iPad Air 2's UK price starts at £399 for the 16GB model in Wi-Fi only, moving up to £479 for 64GB Wi-Fi (as with the recent iPhones, Apple removed the popular 32GB storage option) and £559 for 128GB Wi-Fi. The 3G/cellular models cost £100 more at each configuration: £499 for the 16GB model, moving up to £579 for 64GB and £659 for 128GB.

With the iPad Air 3 filling in these price points, the iPad Air 2 will drop in price, most likely by around £80. The iPad Air 1 could get yet another price cut and remain on sale - much as Apple currently sells three versions of the iPad mini - but it's more likely to be discontinued. Apple usually tries to keep its range simple, and the main reason we can see for it keeping the iPad mini 1 around is that the iPad mini 2 and 3 are so similar.

iPad 7/iPad Air 3 features wish list

It's still too early to offer any concrete details of the iPad Air 3's new features. But what new features would we add, if we were in Jony Ive's shoes?

Here's our iPad Air 3 feature wish list. Some are brand-new wishes: perhaps ideas triggered by issues with Apple's latest line of iPads. Others are features we've been asking for since before the iPad Air 2 but weren't included in that device.

Let us know what features you want to see in the iPad Air 3 in the comments, or let us know on Twitter.

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Larger screen

You can never be too rich, or too thin, or have too much screen space.

In fact, there would be plenty of negatives attached to increasing the iPad Air 2's screen size from its current 9.7in diagonal: mainly increasing the bulk of the device (and having to incorporate a bigger and heavier battery to power the screen for as long), thereby reducing its fantastic portability. But a bigger screen would make the iPad Air more adaptable as a work device, and more immersive for entertainment, so who cares about practicalities?

As many tech fans have pointed out, Apple said it wouldn't make a smaller-screen iPad, then it made the iPad mini - so anything is possible. In fact, we think this could happen, but in a separate product: possibly an iPad Pro. We think the main iPad will continue to be based around a 9.7in screen.

Chances of happening: low (but it could appear in the iPad Pro)

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Faster processor

This too is an obvious one, and something that has happened in essentially every iOS device update: a new, faster processor chip. But is it actually something to be wishing for?

The iPad Air 2 is fast enough to run every current app with ease, and on most apps you won't notice any different in performance between it and the iPad Air 1 (iPad Air 1 vs iPad Air 2 comparison). The iPad Air is effectively faster than it needs to be, and apps are trying their best to catch up.

The iPad Air 3 (or iPad 7) doesn't need to be any faster. It'll probably get a new chip, and there's a good chance it'll be a bit faster, but maybe Apple will go for greater power-efficiency instead?

Yeah, who are we kidding? You've got to be able to boast about processing speeds at the launch announcement.

The last of our recurring requests that crop up every time. Of course an improved camera would be nice, but we wouldn't cite it as an essential, since the iPad is used less for its camera than Apple's smartphones (less, although tablet camera use is growing all the time), and it's got pretty good anyway. A flash - such as the True Tone LED model in the iPhone 5s - wouldn't hurt, but only if it doesn't affect the price tag or portability too much. A smartphone needs a great camera; a tablet doesn't.

Chances of happening: mid to low

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Face recognition

Ah, something more interesting! What if the iPad Air 3 uses facial recognition to unlock the device?

Face-recognition is already available in the Camera app, but that's facial recognition only in the sense of recognising that something is a face, rather than recognising which one it is - which makes this one a long shot. It does also seem a bit unnecessary, given that Apple has the Touch ID technology, and so does the iPad Air 2. If it wants to do convenient, biometric authentication it can use that.

Chances of happening: low

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Full Apple Pay

This one is slightly complicated.

The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 gained Touch ID fingerprint scanners - one of the components required to use the new Apple Pay online/instore payment service, which allows you to pay for things in shops by scanning your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus and touching the fingerprint scanner. And indeed both models can use Apple Pay in the US. (Apple Pay hasn't launched in the UK yet; we're expecting it early next year.)

But they get only a limited, partial version of Apple Pay: one that doesn't work in shops. Instead they use the online and app-based versions of Apple Pay, which use Touch ID but don't require the NFC wireless antenna component used when scanning the iPhone 6 on an instore receiver.

A further complication is the discovery of NFC antennae in both devices when they were disassembled; perhaps these could be activated in future and allow for full Apple Pay. Or perhaps they are intended for some other purpose.

Either way, we'd like to at least have the option of instore Apple Pay with the next generation of iPads. Admittedly the average customer is a lot less likely to whip out a full-size iPad at the till, but we thought something similar about iPad photography.

Chances of happening: medium

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Live multitasking

"The fact that you cannot use multiple applications at the same time is a little annoying," said Product Reviews when discussing potential new features for the iPad Air 2, "and it would definitely be a great feature if Apple could add it in. For example you could update your Twitter feed in a sidebar whilst watching a video or check your emails whilst reading an article."

We didn't get it in the iPad Air 2, and it still makes sense for the iPad Air 3, although you'd probably need a bigger screen to be able to use this practically. And maybe it's more of an iOS 9 thing.

Even as a software update it seems very radical indeed for something that (I think) is a niche requirement. How many people check their emails while continuing to read an article or watch a video?

Chances of happening: low

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Improved stylus support

"I'd like to see more attention paid to the display sensor technology that allows for the next generation of fine tip electronic styluses to be used more effectively and accurately," wrote MacObserver last year. They didn't get their own way with the iPad Air 2, so presumably are still hoping.

This sounds like a nice option, so it's most likely a question of priorities and compromises. And aside from Apple's consistent commitment to touch input in iOS, doesn't this sound like something Samsung would champion?

The iPad's audio output could be improved; this is certainly true. (The iPad Air 2 has stereo speaker units, but they are so close together that ther output is effectively mono.) Yet there are limits on the richness of the audio a slim and portable unit can produce; I suspect that the average iPad owner would rather buy a separate wireless speaker than add any noticeable weight to the iPad Air's chassis.

A touch more bass output would substantially improve the iPad as a games unit, mind you, and it would be great for film fans.

Chances of happening: mid to low

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Increase the storage baseline

"iPads tend to accumulate a lot of stuff," pointed out MacObserver. "Apps, movies and music that make a 16GB iPad an anachronism. Here's hoping..."

In fact, Apple phased out the popular 32GB model instead, leaving the iPad Air 2 (and the iPad mini 3 and iPhone 6 handsets) with an oddly lopsided line-up of 16GB, 64GB and 128GB.

Will Apple phase out the 16GB iPad? It's going to happen at some point - remember the 8GB iPad? - but maybe not quite yet. Plenty of users store work documents and photos in the cloud, rarely game and use a small number of lightweight apps.

Chances of happening: low (for now)

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Memory card slot

We'll say right away: this would be nice in some respects but is highly unlikely.

Apple's philosophy embraces the closed box: the complete product experience bought ready-to-use and held apart from user tinkering and upgrades. Without mentioning that this would encourage buyers to go for the lower-capacity iPads and fill the shortfall with removable memory. And it would ruin the iPad's clean lines.

Chances of happening: no way

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Bluetooth mouse support

It's been argued that touch is less accurate than mouse (or similar) input, and that Apple's more work-oriented users would enjoy being able to use wireless mice with their iPad Air 3. If we were talking about the Mac OS X-running iPad Pro that some have discussed, this would be a no-brainer, but this would call for a major rethink of how iOS works, and we don't think that's likely.

Chances of appearing: low

iPad Air 3 feature wish list: Wireless charging

At the moment wireless charging is big let-down, offering only minor convenience rather than the quantum leap it appears to promise. The Air Voltage Qi Chargers are an example of a (comparatively) recent take on the concept: you buy a case for your device, and a separate charging mat. Simply laying the cased iPhone on the mat starts up the charging process - but it has to touch the mat, and the mat itself has to be plugged in.

If you could increase the range of the charge transmission so that, for example, you just need to be sitting with a couple of feet of the charger for the device in your pocket to start charging - then we'd be talking. Still, if Apple incorporated the technology in the chassis of the iPad so that you don't have to bother with a particular case then it would a bit more appealing.

Chances of appearing: low

Read page 2 for the rumours and predictions we collected in advance of the iPad Air 2's press event. See for yourself how much we (and the rest of the industry) got right, and how much we got wrong!

Comments

NCBrian said: Comments,NCBrian,nastiness. over a toy... classy.

Joeshmo said: Comments,Joeshmo,I just want a mouse option, multi tasking, better status bars......maybe I junk this crap and just get an andriod or windows tablet already. The next iOS release better be going magical or Apple is done.

Aditya Pratap Singh said: Comments,Aditya Pratap Singh,For your kind info., alex, android is just used more than ios bcoz people like you cannot afford to buy it and even if they buy it they dont know anything about its sandard. i just wanna tell u that u suck!!!

Aditya Pratap Singh said: Comments,Aditya Pratap Singh,if ipad could do calls without an iphone, have an inbuilt stylus and face regonization safety system and if siri can understand HINdi and other languages like arabian urdu and so on, Apple can make people realize that Samsung,HTC,Micromax and on are just a piece of #%^&amp;^&amp;&amp; shit....

Spike said: Comments,Spike,Saying that the iPad doesn't need to be any faster is like Gates saying computers don't need more than 640KB back in the 80's. It's ridiculous. A computer can never EVER have "too much" processing power. If the power is there, developers are a genius, innovative bunch. They'll use it.

I'm NOTHERE said: Comments,I'm NOTHERE,"Apple should stop treating its customers as idiots" but isn't that what their customers are ?

I'm NOTHERE said: Comments,I'm NOTHERE,WGAF?

D.R.S said: Comments,D.R.S,Silly article. Waste of time. Nothing new, any one with the lealeast bit of logic could say all that. Of course ipad air 3 will feature an A9.. Of course it will released oct'1Oct ' 15.Please stop writing just for the sake of it.

Guest said: Comments,Guest,Please don't make write an article just for the sake of it. This article about the ipad air 3 doesn't provide any useful information. Anyone with the least bit of logic could tell everything you wrote up there.Waste of time!

Alex M. said: Comments,Alex M.,People who are going to download rubbish aren't protected in iOS like they once were. It is as bad as, if not worse than by now, the Android environment for garbage apps and intrusions. They have tried to mimic the overall functionality of Android as closely as the original platform can without going full open that they've made it complete garbage vs the original iPhone in the name of "progress."What I am talking about is the ability to email, upload download and edit documents like I can in a full OS. I use my phone and tablet as a business productivity device. The iOS environment just isn't capable of this type of use.I know exactly how many people prefer a toy vs a useful productivity tool. I keep up with Apple's sliding market share. The iOS is a joke. Until they allow full access to its storage as a file system, it will always be a toy.I still have my iPad mini but use it ONLY as an ebook. I'm now using a Lenovo Helix as my tablet device.

Deborah Davis said: Comments,Deborah Davis,I just put in my order for the iPad Air 2 (after waiting a few days) and the first thing I did after getting confirmation (well after emailing all my family and friends) was order a lock for it, because there is no way I am putting all that money into something and not getting any form of insurance I can for it. I want to be feel free to walk around with it, and not just use it at home hiding under the covers scared someone is going to come and rob me because we all know this ipad cost more than i do! Someone told me to check out Maclocks.com for their iPad locks, but does anyone know if they have a special lock just for iPad Air 2 or should I just use the Locking Security Cover&gt;?? Any help will be greatly appreciated so that I can come out of hiding with my new toy!

Perparim Bajqinca said: Comments,Perparim Bajqinca,Finger print i think will be great for the new Ipad because it gives the IPAD, i saw the release of the new Ipad from here and saw some of these features hopes this helps some of you :Dhttp://instaretail.com/perpsta...

Lisa said: Comments,Lisa,You can get a stylus for the iPad. I use a Waucom Bamboo to take notes in class.

parker said: Comments,parker,It saddens me that Apple, once the great innovator, has become the "old" technology giant. They are the only tablet that does not have true cell phone capability. They are the only tablet that is not multitasking. I would think that people in business would be anxious to buy an iPad if they could write a letter while viewing a spreadsheet and collaborating with coworkers on the phone -- all on one device. Not that you would want to carry an iPad around to use as a phone, but it would be really handy while at a desk or while sitting in your favorite chair at night.

Alrt Tan said: Comments,Alrt Tan,I have an Ipad and I love it. I was expecting this new model, will bring in some badass features. Personally the upgrade is not really amazing. https://vid.me/Pvo

Gary Payton said: Comments,Gary Payton,i found the total features of the iPad Air 2, so i'm say that it'll become good for business professionals and students too , amazing thinner from previous model... http://www.howtoisolve.com/spe...

Gary Payton said: Comments,Gary Payton,i found the total features of the iPad Air 2, so i'm say that it'll become good for business professionals and students too , amazing thinner from previous model... http://www.howtoisolve.com/spe...

Dave said: Comments,Dave,I don't mind if it's even a little bit thicker, but if it doesn't use a 64 bit Tegra K1 I'll be leaving the iPad cycle.

Nak Nk said: Comments,Nak Nk,Apple needs to bring major changes in their tablets, like they did with new iPhone, well here's are all the images and specs of iPad Air 2http://uneedtech.com/2014/10/0...

NCBrian said: Comments,NCBrian,So here is what I tried to post over there:Far be it from me to tell someone else not to earn money let alone how to run their website, but I have to say that when a website starts auto-playing a video i can't close you fast enough.I like to open multiple tabs at once, and then read the articles one at a time. Lots of people do it this way so an auto-playing video is annoying. If the link clearly says video (like the way CNN and the BBC do it for example) then that's one thing, but if all of a sudden a video starts playing that can be quite frustrating to try and find the offending page and stop the video.Thankfully Google Chrome show's an icon on the offending tab which makes it a matter of simply closing that tab - article unread, video unwatched.If the goal is to make money then sure, this will work for a while until the advertisers get hip to it and start requiring a certain amount of time watching the video, or heaven forbid a "skip after 5 seconds" link like the way youtube does it. Google has figured out a way to let users block flash without a click, only a matter of time before the same is done for players like jwplayer.I will concede that it's commendable that the videos are A- related to the article topic so it can not be claimed that the information is unsolicited and B - not hidden. There are certainly sites that are notorious for doing this (ibtimes for example). If I click on a link about an iPad and a video about the iPad starts playing, I can't exactly claim that the information was unsolicited, can I? But what if a video about a Samsung phone is playing when I clicked on an article about football, I'm going to get irritated and go elsewhere.I would also like to point out that the auto-play videos, or at least something in some of your articles, don't play nicely with disqus. if someone clicks the "reply" link in an email from disqus it usually takes you directly to that comment. For techadvisor, not only does it start autoplaying the video for every comment to which you click reply, it seems to struggle with taking you to the content, the video or the comment.The reality is while you certainly do have "original content" in your videos (i did enjoy the video in the ipad article that lead me to this post), the content is not so original that it can't be gotten somewhere else. So I think you've made your case for why you're going to keep doing it, but I suspect you're going to get push-back on it, overtly or otherwise.good luck :-)

NCBrian said: Comments,NCBrian,i tried posting in the comment section of that article and received this error message: You must authenticate the user or provide author_name and author_email

macworlduk said: Comments,macworlduk,On the subject of autoplaying videos, I've tried to explain the thinking behind this decision on our blog:http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/o...It's not a decision we took lightly, and we're very keen to hear what readers think.David, MW

Bill said: Comments,Bill,Hmm...sounds like you and the stupid fingerprint sensor should be a good match.

Bill said: Comments,Bill,How much are shills paid these days?

NCBrian said: Comments,NCBrian,i agree, however the lack of an SD card in Apple devices seems like pure and simple profiteering to me and I can't imagine consumers will put up with it too much longer...Unless something drastically changes I will never go back to Windows from MacOSX but I refuse to buy any phone w/ no SD slot. hundreds of dollars more for what could be recreated with a $30 SD card? Pass. The "it breaks the design lines" nonsense is just an excuse to hike up the price on HD space. It's 2014, diskspace is practically free.We have 2 ipads in my house so I suppose I tolerate it a bit more on a tablet, but the argument is the same - there is no excuse for not including an SD slot other than money.

NCBrian said: Comments,NCBrian,seriously. most of us are doing this at work ;-p

NCBrian said: Comments,NCBrian,wow, even God is weighing in on this.

Neo said: Comments,Neo,Why is the camera opposite the home button? Every time you feel for the button you smudge the camera? There should be home buttons in both spots, and power buttons on both corners to press no matter which way your holding it.

peter said: Comments,peter,erm, it looks as if the table you're sat round still has the remains of lines of coke... might explain why you are talking about this for so long...?

steve said: Comments,steve,Steve Jobs was the only one who can give people what they need, not what they are asking for. Idiots who are asking for large screen phones will switch to Samsung at even faster rate now

Darron Crowe said: Comments,Darron Crowe,Expect some new things to come for latest iPad releases. Apple has some tricks up its sleeve whenever it comes to releasing new products to drive people in. Don't be surprised when Apple releases another one on September 9th in just a couple days. If you do take the leap and purchase one of the new iPads, don't forget to get some cash for your old one rather than using it as a bookend by trading it in at http://www.farewellcell.com.

Robert Trance said: Comments,Robert Trance,When will the editors understand that most people do not like automatically starting videos?!

Dragonfly said: Comments,Dragonfly,I feel we are entering a post tablet era, we need something new. Something that folds as flat as a tablet, perhaps has its own keyboard that doesn't take up screen space, something that supports the screen at 45 / 90º without requiring a velcro stand and something that perhaps closes and protects the screen. Something that also has a touch pad so you don't have to smear your fingers on the screen.If they hadn't come before, then Laptops would have been the natural evolution from the Tablet. iPads are nice, but they aren't a serious competitor to a PC (MAC).

Guest said: Comments,Guest,All of you keep bragging about closed environment on ipad, but let's face it, pads are fastest on market and so far I seen are powerfull as pc and if u know how to use it properly it got more then samsung ever ofered, windows and android tablets are full of wiruses, it's easy to tack it and it have problems with spy wear. Apple never been hacked so far and it does not get viruses as it's devices got high security and it's practickly I imposible to hack it or plant virus in it. That's more important to ne to know my data are well protected. I would not get windows or android even if that would be for free.

andy said: Comments,andy,lol..just buy a samsung pro and have most of those features now

Stéphane said: Comments,Stéphane,I wish to use my ipad like a another screen to my MacBook Pro will they are connected or not,

Tr said: Comments,Tr,Love you Cathy0007

Master of Death said: Comments,Master of Death,iPad 6 needs more RAM! At least 3GB especially if they're gonna be with bigger screen(which they should) to compete with laptops and samsung tablets.

Peter P said: Comments,Peter P,This is an interesting read. I don't own a tablet device yet and have been veering towards and iPad Air what frustrates me is the cost V features and the price difference between products sold in the UK and elsewhere. When are buyers going to object to this dollar / pound pricing i.e. if it costs $500 dollars in the US it should retail at approx £300 in the UK? I understand that Apple are no different to other US players with this pricing approach but it is interesting to see that Amazon takes a more pragmatic approach!

Ben said: Comments,Ben,I think it will be out about Christmas

macworlduk said: Comments,macworlduk,*Some* users request more freedom on their devices. A lot don't. (Apple's profits tell their own story.) Tablets are now selling heavily to non-techy users, and simply telling them to 'get smarter' isn't going to work.

Mysticfist said: Comments,Mysticfist,Lol nothing interesting enough to pay for. Other tablets seems to come with new stuff while apple doesn't. And the new stuff they add ... Well we don't need them. The iphone need a way bigger screen and i want to be able to watch and use anything on my ipad which can't be done right now as apple block several things. Give users more freedom on their devices as they request. And don't say everything needs to be protected because some dumb ppl would mess up their device. They have to get smarter that is all.

Ankur Patel said: Comments,Ankur Patel,Probably, I am done with iPads. Too much control on content within Apple product itself is a nightmare. I started loving Galaxy Tabs. At least, they are agile (cross platform content sharing) and have a writing ability (stylus) which is a BIG plus. This is called useful feature, not touch ID.

Ankur Patel said: Comments,Ankur Patel,Touch ID is joke. I won't buy iPad if it comes equipped with touch ID. I don't see and usefulness and any justifying rational behind this feature.

cathy0007 said: Comments,cathy0007,If bezel around the iPad screen is further there may not be a need for a bigger iPad. Faster processor is a given. However, a higher-capacity battery would be a welcomed addition. 16 GB iPad should be removed from the lineup and a 256 GB iPad should be included.

cathy0007 said: Comments,cathy0007,I use several Apple devices and generally they are ok but sometimes they make my mad as hell. For example, why do I need iTunes to put contents on my iPad? Why do I need to keep two copies of the same contents on my mac and on my iPad? I cannot copy (without the help from other apps) anything from my iPad to my mac, why? Apple should stop treating its customers as idiots.

macworlduk said: Comments,macworlduk,Yes, we agree, it's unfathomable that Apple still doesn't offer a flash (or for that matter flash light) on the iPad.

macworlduk said: Comments,macworlduk,Interesting - some have found it unreliable, too. But we hear loads of people demanding Touch ID in the iPad. Clearly an opinion divider!

God said: Comments,God,The only reason i didnt get a new iphone was beacause of the stupid fingerprint sensor...This old technology is ridiculous.Lose it and make more profits.

Karen Haslam said: Comments,Karen Haslam,I agree that a lot of people don't want to be in a closed environment, but there are a lot of people out there who will just mess up their phones by downloading rubbish onto them and then wondering why they don't work very well... And this group of people is probably a lot larger than you think...

Alex Millender said: Comments,Alex Millender,My point being, Apple has lost significance with iOS devices since they refuse to a admit there is a LARGE percent of people who want more from a device than their "neat closed environment" with inaccurate finger touch only input...

Alex Millender said: Comments,Alex Millender,I love my iPad mini but as soon as I can afford a decent Windows 8 tablet of 11" or larger that has digitizer pen included, Apple devices will no longer be in my hands. I used to use it for EVERYTHING. Since buying a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in January, I rarely use it for anything other than reading and for surfing the web when I don't want to get my laptop out. iPhones have been behind Android in the useability department for well over 2 years now. IPads are quickly going in that direction with Android and Windows tablets surpassing 1080p res displays!

lol said: Comments,lol,So basically everything I actually wanted on the new ipad (the important stuff) will most likely not be in it: multitasking, stylus, pure awesomeness. I don't care about camera bigger screen or face recognition. God I getting sick if Apple. My friend has a samsung galaxy note 10.1 and it's amazing. I was really hoping the new ipad would have those same features. Ipad would literally rule the tablet industry completely if it had those features. Ipad air screen is big enough I can't believe people care so much about screen size. Just get a laptop then. :( I'm sad. May have to switch to android if the new ipad just has a bigger screen waste of $$$. I want something different.

Karen Haslam said: Comments,Karen Haslam,There certainly are rumours. The suggestion is that the iPad Air must be using IGZO panels because the display is so power efficient, but their are also rumours that there are yield issues with the IGZO screens - which lead some to suspect that Apple's not using them at all... We'll look into it.

Robert Pauli said: Comments,Robert Pauli,I think the current iPad air is already IGZO. Some have claimed that. Your thoughts?